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Trust chairman Peter Hillier said: "We have worked extremely hard to bring the project to fruition and we were overjoyed to hear that our application had been successful.

"This is a beautiful and special place, loved by so many people. Once it was at risk: now it has a sustainable future.

"There's so much more to be discovered and so many things we can do."

Broxtowe’s MP Anna Soubry supported the application to save the building which was in a state of disrepair.

She said: "Congratulations to the Friends of Bramcote Old Church Tower whose hard work now means that the 'sunken church' and its surroundings will be restored for the community.

"I wrote to support their application in 2015 when they received an additional £50,000 of lottery funding and I'm pleased that the campaign has been successful."

The Trust - which has owned and had responsibility for the site since 2010 - received initial HLF support of £50,800 two-years-ago to develop the proposals.

The purpose of the redevelopment is to carry out maintenance, repair, restoration and conservation of the Tower and its grounds, and to preserve its heritage and provide a safe space for the community use.

Trustee Moira Robinson said: "It will always be necessary to raise funds and that will continue, but thanks to the HLF, we can now go ahead with these really exciting developments.

"We can't wait to get started."

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Artifacts in the Tower - removed of religious blessing in 2010 - include a 16th century bell frame, alabaster wall memorials dating from the 18 and early 17 centuries, and an alabaster floor memorial dating from between 1495 and 1510.

The Trust says a portion of the funding will go towards displaying the artifacts to prevent erosion, and to preserve them for future generations.

Along with the items, the churchyard also contains ancient grave slabs.

With the secured funding, work can now also proceed on conserving these and on commissioning a geophysics survey to determine the footprint of the ancient church.

Jonathan Platt, head of the HLF Midlands said: "Bramcote Old Church Tower is a beautiful site and provides a crucial link to the 13 century.

"We are delighted that, thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to support the hard work of local volunteers to secure the Tower's future and give the community the chance to enjoy and explore its rich history for years to come."